Maria, who lives in Harrogate was inspired to make the jump at Peterlee Parachute Centre near Durham, as ‘thank you’ to Saint Michael’s which provided care and support when her Mum reached the end of her life at the hospice a few years ago.

Maria works at Engage Mutual and participates in the Engage Mutual Midnight Walk every year. She said:

I don’t feel that ‘thank you’ will ever be enough for what Saint Michael’s did for us as a family. Nothing was too much bother.

When Mum went into the Hospice at the end it meant I could be a daughter again, and not a carer. Everything was taken care of, it was unconditional and it was without cost.

In order to ensure that all funds raised by the jump would benefit Saint Michael’s and other families in need of similar support, Maria funded the cost of the jump herself.

She has raised £843.

Saint Michael’s Chief Executive, Tony Collins, said:

We are grateful for such magnificent support and congratulations to Maria for undertaking such a courageous challenge in aid of Saint Michael’s.

It is due to support like this that we are able to continue caring for people in the Harrogate District who are living with terminal illness and bereavement.